Steps to Apply

There are a number of steps involved in applying for financial aid. The links below will provide additional information to help you through the process. Keep in mind that all steps of your aid application must be complete before any aid can be formally offered to you.

Before you get started on financial aid, apply for admission to TUFW. Once you’re accepted, we can begin the process of putting together a package of financial aid awards for you. You may apply for admission anytime after your junior year in high school. Contact our office to receive a paper application in the mail or apply online.

  1. The FAFSA for the academic year that begins in the fall should be completed as soon as possible after January 1 of that year.   For further details before starting on the FAFSA, view Common Mistakes.

  2. The FAFSA requires you to enter your income and tax information for the previous calendar year. It’s better to have ACCURATE tax information than estimated, so do your federal taxes first if possible. But DO NOT take a chance on missing any deadlines set by the states or schools in which you are interested. For example, the state of Indiana requires that the FAFSA be RECEIVED by the federal processing office no later than March 10. If not received by that date, Indiana students lose eligibility for state aid for the coming year. Other states, and some colleges and universities, may have different deadlines.

  3. Plan to file the FAFSA electronically, at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Electronic filing improves response time and reduces errors. You’ll also need to request a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically. For dependent students, one parent will also need a PIN.

  4. List Taylor University Fort Wayne (code E00624) as one school to receive your FAFSA results.

  5. Once you’ve completed the FAFSA, you can obtain an update on its processing status by calling the federal processing office at 1.800.433.3243. Just follow the vocal prompts.

    FAFSA results are summarized in a Student Aid Report (SAR) sent to you, and an electronic summary sent to the school. Note that the SAR will be sent to you electronically if you provided an e-mail address when you submitted your FAFSA. The SAR will be available to you and the schools very quickly, if you file electronically and have e-signed with your PIN.

  6. After completing an initial FAFSA prior to your first year in college, FAFSA renewals will be available for subsequent years. The renewals include a lot of information carried forward from the previous year, simplifying the process.

  7. In the weeks after you complete your FAFSA, we will communicate with you by e-mail or letter to ask for additional documentation.

For more details, view our Financial Aid Timeline and the Forms and Applications you will need. 

If you’re just starting out, estimate your potential financial aid at TUFW.

If your aid package is complete, check out the awards available to you at MyFA.